Privacy screen system and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A privacy screen system may include a frame having a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings, and screening having a first side and a second side. The privacy screen may also include a pattern of colored pigments selectively applied to the first side of the screening for decreasing a person&#39;s ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screen when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments. The screening with the pattern of colored pigments may be fastened within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of the frame, and screening without the pattern of colored pigments may be fastened within any of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon prior filed copending provisional application Ser. No. 60/720,416 filed Sep. 26, 2005, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of screens, and, more particularly, to a privacy screen system and related methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A screen in a building is typically used to keep a particular area relatively insect-free while also providing ventilation and a generally unobstructed view through the screen. Further, such screens may also include additional functionality.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,893 to Neer, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a privacy screen. This privacy screen is usually conventional screening with a selectively applied pattern of pigments added to one side. The selectively applied pattern of pigments limits the ability of a person on one side of the screening to see through the screening while a person on the other side of the screening can readily see through the screening. The Neer patent discloses that the privacy screen can be secured between free standing support poles or suspended from a support member or cable.

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,649 to Nagata and U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,632 to Sugie, the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference, also disclose screening for use as a privacy screen. The Nagata patent discloses the privacy screen fastened within a frame. The Sugie patent discloses that the privacy screen is fastened in place by adhering it to an application surface.

Alternatively, patterns may be applied to screening to impart a decorative effect such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,893 to Pannell. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 243,962 to Palmer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,803 to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,792 to Locke et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,799 to Walker disclose patterns applied in various ways to impart a decorative effect to screening. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,601 to Rooth discloses a pattern applied to a screen door as a safety feature.

Despite the above disclosed screening systems, there still exists a need for a privacy screen that is easier to install and maintain than conventional privacy screen systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a privacy screen that is easier to install and maintain than conventional privacy screen systems.

This and other objects, features, and advantages in accordance with the invention are provided by a privacy screen including a frame having a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings, and screening having a first side and a second side. The privacy screen may also include a pattern of colored pigments selectively applied to the first side of the screening for decreasing a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screen when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments. The screening with the pattern of colored pigments may be fastened within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of the frame, and screening without the pattern of colored pigments may be fastened within any of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings. As a result, a privacy screen that is easier to install and maintain than conventional privacy screen systems is provided.

The frame may further comprise a first connection edge fixedly connected to a structure edge.

The second side of the screening may be darker than the first side of the screening. The screening without the pattern of colored pigments may be fastened within at least one of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.

The plurality of fully enclosed frame openings may have at least three frame sides joined together to form each of the plurality of fully enclosed frame opening. Each of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings may share at least one frame side with another of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.

The frame may further comprise a second connection edge, a third connection edge, and a corner formed where the second connection edge and the third connection edge intersect. The screening may comprise a mesh material that permits airflow through the screening having the selected pattern of colored pigments.

A method aspect of the invention is directed to a method for using privacy screening. The method may comprise providing a frame comprising a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings, and providing screening with a first side and a second side. The method may also comprise selecting a pattern of colored pigments for the first side of the screening to decrease a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screening when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments. The method may further comprise fastening the screening having the pattern of colored pigments within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of the frame.

The method may also include fastening screening without the pattern of colored pigments within any of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings. The method may further include fixedly connecting a first connection edge of the frame to a structure edge. The method may further comprise positioning the frame to enclose an outdoor area.

Another method aspect of the invention is directed to a related method for using privacy screening. The method may comprise providing screening with a first side and a second side. The method may further comprise selecting a pattern of colored pigments for the first side of the screening to decrease a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screening when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments.

The method may also include providing instructions for fastening the screening with the pattern of colored pigments within at least one of a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of a frame. The method may further include positioning the frame to enclose an outdoor area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a privacy screen system in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of screening including a pattern of colored pigments in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the screening shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating how to use the privacy screen system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a related method on how to use the privacy screen system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a privacy screen system 10 is now described. The privacy screen system 10 includes a frame 12 having a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 a-14 j as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. A frame such as frame 12 may be used to enclose a pool, a patio, garage, room, or the like, for example. The privacy screen system 10 also includes screening 16 a-16 n having a first side 17 and a second side 19.

The privacy screen system 10 further includes a pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c selectively applied to the first side 17 of the screening 16 a-16 n for decreasing a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side 19 of the screen when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c may produce an image representative of an identifiable image such as pattern of colored pigments 18 a and 18 b, or an abstract image such as pattern of colored pigments 18 c, for example.

In either case, the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c is specifically selected over other patterns of colored pigments for their ability to increase the privacy characteristics of screening 16 a, 16 i, and 16 j. Stated another way, the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c are physically different than other patterns of colored pigments as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,868,019 and 5,043,202 to Knickerbocker, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,904 to Anitole, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference, detail how patterns, reflectant levels, contrasting an image with the surroundings, and the like can be used to camouflage an object with pattern of colored pigments. Likewise, the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c are selectively applied to screening 16 a, 16 i, and 16 j to camouflage and/or provide privacy to objects behind the screening with the selectively applied pattern of colored pigments.

The screening 16 a, 16 i, and 16 j with the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c are fastened within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 a, 14 i, and 14 j, of the frame 12, for example. In addition, screening 16 b-16 h without the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c are fastened within any of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 b-14 h, for instance.

Preferably, the screening 16 b-16 h without the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c may be fastened within at least one of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 b-14 h. As a result, installation costs may be reduced costs because screening 16 b-16 h without the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c is generally less expensive to produce than the screening 16 a, 16 i, and 16 j with the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c. In addition, on a retrofit installation, the screening 16 a, 16 i, and 16 j with the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c may be installed in the fully enclosed frame openings 14 a-14 j in which the privacy characteristic is desirable while any original screening that does not have the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c is left in place.

The frame 12 further comprises a first connection edge 20 fixedly connected to a structure edge 22, for example. As a result, the first connection edge 20 does not move in relation to the structure edge 22. The structure edge 22 may comprise a portion of a house 24 having a roof 26. In other embodiments, the connection edge 20 may be moveably connected (not shown) to the structure edge 22 as exemplified in a rail and roller system as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. For instance, rail and roller systems such as is employed to movably connect a garage door (not shown) to a building.

The plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 a-14 j have at least three frame sides joined together to form each of the plurality of fully enclosed frame opening. For instance, frame sides 28 a-28 d form fully enclosed frame opening 14h. In addition, the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 a-14 j share at least one frame side with another of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings such as frame side 28 c which is shared by fully enclosed frame openings 14 h and 14 g.

The screening 16 a-16 n is fastened to the frame 12 by using a rubber-like wedge (not shown) as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. For instance, each side of screening 16 h is secured to a respective frame side 28 a-28 d to fasten screening 16 h into fully enclosed frame opening 14h of the frame 12. Examples of such a fastening system are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 823,737 to McFarland; U.S. Pat. No. 1,698,065 to Otto; U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,769 to Krantz; U.S. Pat. No. 3,374,597 to Whitener; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,826,885 to Raskin et al., the entire contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The frame 12 may further comprise a second connection edge 30, a third connection edge 32, and a corner 34 formed where the second connection edge and the third connection edge intersect. In other words, second connection edge 30 is on a portion of frame 12 that lies in a plane different from the third connection edge 32 as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 3, the screening 16 a-16 k comprises a mesh material 36 that permits airflow 38 through the screening. More in particular, the screening 16 a, 16 i, and 16 j with the pattern of colored pigments 18 a-18 c permits airflow 38 through the screening even after the screening is fastened within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings 14 a-14 j of the frame 12. The second side 19 of the screening may be darker than the first side 17 of the screening 16 a-16 n. The darkness of the second side 19 is the result of an application of a dark pigment 21 to the second side, for example.

A method aspect of the invention is directed to a method for using privacy screening as described with additional reference to the flowchart 40 of FIG. 4. The method starts at Block 42 and includes providing a frame comprising a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings at Block 44. Screening with a first side and a second side is provided at Block 46. The method also comprises selecting a pattern of colored pigments for the first side of the screening to decrease a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screening when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments at Block 48. The screening having the pattern of colored pigments is fastened within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of the frame at Block 50.

The method may optionally include, as is indicated by the dashed box at Block 52, the positioning of the frame to enclose an outdoor area. As such, the frame may enclose a pool, a patio, or the like from an outdoor area rather than just merely partially separating it from the outdoor area as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. For instance, a fence around a pool would just merely separate a pool from an outdoor area, but not enclose the pool because the top of the pool is still exposed to the outdoors. The method ends at Block 54.

Another method aspect of the invention is directed to a different method for using privacy screening as is described with additional reference to the flowchart 60 of FIG. 5. The method starts at Block 62 and includes providing screening with a first side and a second side at Block 64. The method further comprises selecting a pattern of colored pigments for the first side of the screening to decrease a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screening when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments at Block 66. The method also includes providing instructions for fastening the screening with the pattern of colored pigments within at least one of a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of a frame at Block 68. The method ends at Block 70.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A privacy screen system comprising: a frame having a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings; screening having a first side and a second side; and a pattern of colored pigments selectively applied to the first side of said screening for decreasing a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of said screen when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of said screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments; said screening with said pattern of colored pigments fastened within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of said frame, and screening without said pattern of colored pigments fastened within any of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.
 2. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a first connection edge fixedly connected to a structure edge.
 3. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein the second side of said screening is darker than the first side of said screening.
 4. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings have at least three frame sides joined together to form each of the plurality of fully enclosed frame opening.
 5. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein each one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings shares at least one frame side with another of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.
 6. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a second connection edge, a third connection edge, and a corner formed where the second connection edge and the third connection edge intersect.
 7. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein said screening with said pattern of colored pigments comprises a mesh material that permits airflow through said screening.
 8. The privacy screen system of claim 1 wherein said screening without said pattern of colored pigments is fastened within at least one of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.
 9. A method for using privacy screening comprising: providing a frame comprising a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings; providing screening with a first side and a second side; selecting a pattern of colored pigments for the first side of the screening to decrease a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screening when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments; and fastening the screening having the pattern of colored pigments within at least one of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of the frame.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising fastening screening without the pattern of colored pigments within any of the remaining plurality of fully enclosed frame openings.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising fixedly connecting a first connection edge of the frame to a structure edge.
 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising positioning the frame to enclose an outdoor area.
 13. The method of claim 9 wherein the second side of the screening is darker than the first side of the screening.
 14. The method of claim 9 wherein the screening comprises a mesh material that permits airflow through the screening with the pattern of colored-pigments.
 15. A method for using privacy screening comprising: providing screening with a first side and a second side; selecting a pattern of colored pigments for the first side of the screening to decrease a person's ability to see an object located adjacent the second side of the screening when the person is positioned adjacent the first side of the screening in comparison to other patterns of colored pigments; and providing instructions for fastening the screening with the pattern of colored pigments within at least one of a plurality of fully enclosed frame openings of a frame.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising fastening screening without the selected pattern of colored pigments within any of the plurality of fully enclosed frame openings remaining.
 17. The method of claim 15 further comprising positioning the frame to enclose an outdoor area.
 18. The method of claim 15 further comprising fixedly connecting a first connection edge of the frame to a structure edge.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the second side is darker than the first side.
 20. The method of claim 15 wherein the screening comprises a mesh material that permits airflow through the screening with the pattern of colored pigments. 